Residents of San Francisco’s Mission District were treated to a scene right out of a Marvel movie when a Shell gas station basically blew up on Monday.
Multiple media outlets began reporting on the blaze after firefighters were called to the intersection of 16th and Guerrero streets around 4 pm Monday; calls of a pressurized gas tank — the ones buried below feet of concrete in gas stations, responsible for containing gasoline — on fire were cited; it appears the gas tank caught fire during a construction project, which involved its removal.
The blaze quickly swelled and engulfed much of the immediate and surrounding area in thick, black smoke. The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) was quick to extinguish the fire, taking only 10 minutes to snuff out the flames. (The department, however, notes some residual gas likely has remained in the tank and around the affected areas, though the fire retardant used efficiently removes any risk of it igniting while it evaporates off.)
“At this time, a company has been called out to remove the remaining fuel so the construction crew can safely continue working at a later time,” SFFD said on social media.
No one was hurt, but at least one school and an apartment building were evaluated … and at least one nearby popular watering hole temporarily shuttered.
at 1907 hours the SFFD has turned the Incident at 16th Street and Guerrero Street back to the property owners and the Construction company
— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) December 16, 2025
“Sorry, folks, but the gas station across the street blew up. So we’re closed for now,” reads a post on Threads from Elixir. The bar, located at 3200 16th Street, is famous for its wooden bar decor and for being San Francisco’s second-oldest still operating saloon. “If we can reopen tonight, we’ll post stories. Special on Smoked Old Fashioneds!”
The storied bar never did repost another Story announcing its reopening, so it’s safe to assume it closed down for the day.
SFFD was on the scene until later in the evening, before returning the construction site back to the property owners.
Feature image: Courtesy of SFFD
